This article discusses the 2025 Intel Arrow Lake HX mobile microarchitecture, meant for high-performance workstations and gaming laptops.
This follows up on the Intel 13th-gen and 14th-gen Raptor Lake hardware, introducing Core Ultra 9 200HX (and lower) processors as successors for the Core i9 HX platforms implemented in performance computers from 2023/2024. It’s also the Intel alternative to AMD’s Fire Range HX hardware for 2025.
Design-wise, the Core Ultra 9 HX hardware is still a hybrid implementation with Performance and Efficiency Cores, but new-generation Cores (Lion Cove P-Cores, Skymont E-Cores) with a new overall die design. More on that further down.
Overall, based on what we know at this point, Arrow Lake HX hardware shows a slight uplift in sustained performance over Raptor Lake, as well as improved framerates in games. We’re looking at 5-20% between use cases. On top of these, Arrow Lake HX is also significantly more efficient on battery power than Arrow Lake, with multiple implications.
However, what matters perhaps even more is the fact that Arrow Lake HX processors are paired with Nvidia’s RTX 5000 Blackwell graphics chips and implemented in many new devices with improved cooling and features over their predecessors.
Let’s go a little more in-depth over the hardware platform, and then we’ll go through the lists of notebooks available today that are built on Arrow Lake HX hardware.
Arrow Lake HX hardware particularities
As mentioned earlier, Arrow Lake HX hardware is a hybrid design with Lion Cove Performance Cores and Skymont Efficiency Cores, built on TSMC’s 6 nm N6 node. These are the same cores implemented by the Arrow Lake H and Lunar Lake V platforms, but in different amounts and with a different overall CPU design.
In a few words, the Arrow Lake HX chiplets allocate most space on the tile for the CPU, with up to 24 Cores/ 24 Threads and 36 MB of L3 Cache, with a TDP of 55+ W sustained. While the XoC and IO tiles are built on TSMC’s 6nm 6N processor, the Compute Tile is completely redesigned over Raptor Lake, and built on TSMC’s 3nm N3B process. There’s still an iGPU in there, but a smaller one with limited capabilities and built on older generation Xe-LPG graphics, not on the Xe2 architecture implemented by Lunar Lake V and Arrow Lake H processors.
The NPU isn’t much either, at around 13 TOPS peak – perhaps some would have expected an Intel AI NPU 4 that would have made the platform Copilot+ certified and would have offered improved capabilities for AI workloads. That NPU is included with Lunar Lake hardware, but not with Arrow Lake. However, this is more than compensated by the massive processing power offered by the latest Nvidia GPUs.
Overall, these make sense for a platform designed to be implemented in high-power high-performance mobile computers alongside a dedicated GPU.
On the Performance Cores side, Core Ultra 200HX processors implement up to 8x P-Cores arranged around a common ring-bus interconnect, with dedicated L2 Cache memory and up to 36 L3 Cache memory shared among all cores. The Lion Cove cores lack HyperThreading by design, to keep the die size in check and improve efficiency to some extent. This approach also allowed Intel to completely redesign the chiplet, as explained more in-depth in this article.
On the Efficiency Cores side, up to 16x Skymont E-Cores are implemented on the Core Ultra 9 HX processors, arranged around the same Compute ring-bus as the P-Cores and sharing the same L3 Cache memory. Intel claims IPC gains for Skymont E-Cores over Gracement E-Cores of up to 20-30%, allowing in this way the CPU to mitigate the lack of HyperThreading on the P-Cores when it comes to multi-threaded sustained performance, and even surpass Raptor Lake implementations by a fair amount.
A few other aspects are worth mentioning as well, mostly around the improved I/O on this hardware. Among others, it allows for CPU-attached gen5 SSDs. High-speed CUDIMM memory is not supported by the mobile platform in this generation, that’s exclusive to the desktop Raptor Lake S hardware.
Here’s a quick summary of the Arrow Lake HX Core Ultra 9 and Ultra 7 processors, and I’ve also included the 14th-gen and 13th-gen i9 mobile processors for comparison, although comparing the two platforms this way doesn’t make much sense, as explained earlier.
Core
Ultra 9 285HX
Core
Ultra 9 275HX
Core
Ultra 7 255HX
Core
i9-14900HX
Core
i9-13980HX
Core
i9-13900HX
Lithography
TSMC 6N
Intel 7
Design TDP
55-160W
55-157W
Cores (P+E)/Threads
8+16/24
8+16/24
8+12/20
8+16/32
8+16/32
8+16/32
P-Cores max Turbo
5.5 GHz
5.4 GHz
5.2 GHz
5.8 GHz
5.6 GHz
5.4 GHz
E-Cores max Turbo
4.6 GHz
4.6 GHz
4.5 GHz
4.1 GHz
4.0 GHz
3.9 GHz
Graphics
Intel XeG 4Xe Cores,
up to 1.95 GHz
UHD 32 EUs,
up to 1.65 GHz
Cache
36 MB Smart cache
36 MB Smart cache
Memory support
DDR5-6400
DDR4-3200, DDR5-5600
And this is the complete lineup of Core Ultra 200HX processors.
All in all, expect Arrow Lake HX laptops to offer an uplift in general performance over the previous-gen Raptor Lake HX hardware. More importantly, perhaps, the hardware is implemented in a handful of fresh designs for 2025, with updated builds and ergonomics, the fastest Nvidia RTX Blackwell graphics, as well as the latest features and novelties available today.
At the same time, aside from the sustained performance, Arrow Lake HX hardware should benefit from a notable increase in efficiency on battery power, both for casual use and demanding activities away from the wall. Furthermore, with the actual CPU die size being ~30% smaller than with Raptor Lake, we could expect Core Ultra HX hardware implemented successfully in some portable formats as well, alongside the expected heavyweight desktop replacement notebooks.
I’d also expect interesting behavior on lower-power and quiet profiles, something I’m especially interested in when playing games these days. We’ll know more about it once we get to review some of these 2025 notebooks.
List of all laptops built on Intel Arrow Lake HX (Core Ultra 200HX) hardware
This section lists all the available notebooks built on Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200HX hardware.
Most of them are full-size full-performance laptops meant for serious workloads and gaming, with either premium-tier chassis with the latest and greatest features (such as miniLED or OLED displays, mechanical keyboards, vapor chamber cooling, lots of RGB bars and elements), or more budget-friendly models with mid-tier specs and features.
However, you’ll also find this Intel HX hardware implemented in a handful of more compact and lightweight all-around laptops, the kind you can still comfortably grab along to work/school and won’t draw unwanted attention with their chassis design.
As far as what’s the Best Intel Arrow Lake HX laptop of this list, that’s going to vary based on your needs and expectations. Among the heavyweights peformers, though, I’d look into the MSI Titan 18 and the Asus ROG Scar 18 first, while among more compact and even more affordable 16-inch models, the updated Lenovo Legion Pro and Asus ROG Strix models are worth your attention. We’ll know more about them once we get to review them, so stay around for our updated articles.
We’re updating the list as it goes.
Model
Screen
Hardware (*up to)
Graphics (*up to)
Weight
Acer Predator Helios 16 AI
16-inch 16:10 OLED, glossy
2.5K 240Hz 1ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5090 (175W),
MUX
from
5.7 lbs / 2.6 kg
premium full-size performance and gaming chassis, all-metal build, Predator design elements and RGB elements;
16:10 OLED 2.5K 240Hz 1ms panel, glossy;
per-key RGB keyboard with mechanical switches for WASD and arrow keys;
good IO – most ports on the back edge, including Thunderbolt 5; WiFi 7;
dual-fan cooling with quad-exhausts, multiple heatpipes;
90 Wh battery, 330W charger,
4x speakers, 2MP camera
Price: –
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI
18-inch 16:10 mini LED, matte
4K 120Hz 7ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5090 (175W),
MUX
from
7.2 lbs / 3.25 kg
18-inch variant of the Helios 16, with 6x speakers and slightly beefed up cooling. premium full-size performance and gaming chassis, all-metal build, RGB elements;
16:10 mini LED 4K 120Hz 7ms panel, matte
Price: –
Acer Predator Helios 16S AI
16-inch 16:10 OLED, glossy
2.5K 240Hz 3ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5070Ti (175W),
MUX
?? kg
thinner and lighter version of the regular Helios 16, all-round laptops with metal chassis;
16:10 OLED 2.5K 240Hz 3ms panel, glossy; 4-zone RGB keyboard;
up to Core Ultra 9 with RTX 5070Ti Max-Q, lower power than the full Helios 16;
dual-fan cooling with quad-exhausts, multiple heatpipes;
?? Wh battery,
2x speakers, 2MP camera
Price: –
Alienware 16 Area 51
16-inch 16:10 IPS, matte
2.5K 240Hz 3ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 3x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5090 (175W),
MUX
up to
7.6 lbs / 3.45 kg
premium full-size performance and gaming chassis, all-metal build, Alienware design elements and RGB elements;
16:10 IPS 2.5K 240Hz 3ms panel, matte – no miniLED or OLED option;
per-key RGB keyboard with optional Cherry MX low-profile mechanical switches; optional RGB glass touchpad;
good IO, mostly on the back edge, including Thunderbolt 5; WiFi 7;
updated dual-fan cooling with quad-exhausts, multiple heatpipes;
96 Wh battery, up to 380W charger,
4x speakers, 2MP or 8 MP IR camera
Price: from $1999
Alienware 18 Area 51
18-inch 16:10 IPS, matte
2.5K 300Hz 3ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 3x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5090 (175W),
MUX
up to
9.8 lbs / 4.46 kg
larger 18-inch variant of the Alienware 16,
16:10 IPS 2.5K 300Hz 3ms panel, matte;
2.5H Lan port only on this 18-inch model
Price: from $2199
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16
16-inch 16:10 mini LED, matte
2.5K 240Hz 3ms
Intel Core Ultra 285HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5090 (175W),
MUX
from
6.3 lbs / 2.85 kg
premium full-size performance and gaming chassis, all-metal build, ROG design elements and RGB elements;
16:10 mini LED 2.5K 240Hz 3ms panel, matte;
per-key RGB keyboard without NumPad; glass touchpad;
good IO – all on the sides, including Thunderbolt 5; WiFi 7;
updated tri-fan cooling with rear heatsink and vapor chamber + heatpipes;
90 Wh battery, up to 380W charger,
4x speakers, 2MP IR camera
Price: from $2499
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18
18-inch 16:10 mini LED, matte
2.5K 240Hz 3ms
Intel Core Ultra 285HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5090 (175W),
MUX
from
7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg
18-inch version of the Scar 16, with larger chassis and slightly beefed-up cooling;
keyboard with NumPad section;
same other features and specs as the Scar 16
Price: from $2599
Asus ROG Strix G16
16-inch 16:10 IPS, matte
2.5K 240Hz 3ms
Intel Core Ultra 285HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5080 (175W),
MUX
from
6 lbs / 2.73 kg
mid-tier full-size performance and gaming chassis, a more basic version of the Scar 16, lighter weight and with less RGB;
16:10 IPS 2.5K 240Hz 3ms panel, matte – mini LED only on the Scar;
4-zone or per-key RGB keyboard without NumPad; glass ?? touchpad;
good IO – all on the sides, including Thunderbolt 5; WiFi 7;
lower power than the Scar, and mostly offered with 5070 115W or 5070Ti 140W graphics;
updated tri-fan cooling with rear heatsink and heatpipes (vapor chamber only on the Scars);
90 Wh battery, up to 380W charger,
4x ?? speakers, 2MP IR camera
Price: –
Asus ROG Strix G18
18-inch 16:10 IPS, matte
2.5K 240Hz 3ms
Intel Core Ultra 285HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5080 (175W),
MUX
from
7.54 lbs / 3.42 kg
18-inch version of the Strix G16, with larger chassis and slightly beefed-up cooling;
keyboard with NumPad section;
same other features and specs as the Strix G16, but with the larger cooling, there’s a better change you can find this with a 5080 than on the more compact variant
Price: –
HP Omen Max 16
16-inch 16:10 IPS or OLED
2.5K 240Hz 3ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5080 (??W),
MUX
from
5.92 lbs / 2.7 kg
premium full-size performance and gaming chassis, all-metal build,
black or white colors, Omen design elements and RGB elements;
16:10 IPS matte 2.5K 240Hz 3ms panel, or 16:10 OLED glossy 2.5K 240Hz 1ms;
per-key RGB keyboard with NumPad, glass touchpad;
good IO – most on the back edge; WiFi 7;
dual-fan cooling with quad-exhausts, vapor chamber, “hyper cryo compound”;
83 Wh battery, 330W charger,
2x speakers, 2MP IR camera
Price: from $2699
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
16-inch 16:10 OLED, glossy
2.5K 240Hz 1ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5090 (175W),
MUX
from
2.72 lbs / 6 kg
premium full-size performance and gaming chassis, all-metal build, Legion design elements and RGB elements;
16:10 OLED 2.5K 240Hz 1ms panel, glossy;
per-key RGB keyboard; glass touchpad;
good IO – all ports on the sides, including Thunderbolt 5; WiFi 7;
updated dual-fan cooling with rear exhausts and vapor chamber;
99 Wh battery, up to 400W charger,
4x speakers, 5MP camera
Price: from $2399
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i
16-inch 16:10 OLED, glossy
2.5K 240Hz 1ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5070Ti (140W),
MUX
from
2.53 lbs / 5.6 kg
mid-tier full-size performance and gaming chassis, mostly metal build, Legion design elements without RGB;
16:10 OLED 2.5K 240Hz 1ms panel, glossy;
24-zone RGB keyboard; plastic ?? touchpad;
good IO – all ports on the sides, with TB4; WiFi 7;
updated dual-fan cooling with rear exhausts and heatpipes;
80 Wh battery, up to 245W charger,
2x speakers, 5MP camera
Price: from $1399
Lenovo Legion 7i
16-inch 16:10 OLED, glossy
2.5K 240Hz 1ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5070 (115W),
MUX
from
4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg
premium portable all-around chassis, metal build, Legion design elements without RGB;
thinner and lighter than the Pro model, but lower power hardware and settings;
16:10 OLED 2.5K 240Hz 1ms panel, glossy;
per-key RGB keyboard; glass touchpad;
good IO – some on the back, some on sides, with TB5; WiFi 7;
dual-fan cooling with rear exhausts and heatpipes;
84 Wh battery, up to 245W charger,
2x speakers, 5MP camera
Price: from $1599
Lenovo Legion 5i
16-inch 16:10 OLED, glossy
2.5K 240Hz 1ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5070 (115W),
MUX
from
4.4 lbs / 2.0 kg
mid-tier portable all-around chassis, part metal build, Legion design elements without RGB;
thinner and lighter than the Pro model, but lower power hardware and settings;
16:10 OLED 2.5K 240Hz 1ms panel, glossy;
24-zone RGB keyboard; plastic ?? touchpad;
good IO – some on the back, some on sides, with TB4; WiFi 7;
dual-fan cooling with rear exhausts and heatpipes;
80 Wh battery, up to 245W charger,
2x speakers, 5MP camera
Price: from $1299
MSI Vector 16 HX AI
16-inch 16:10 IPS, matte
2.5K 240Hz 3ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5080 (175W),
MUX
from
2.65 lbs / 5.9 kg
mid-tier full-size performance and gaming chassis, mostly plastic build, MSI design elements without RGB;
16:10 IPS matte displays, 2.5K 240Hz or 2K 144Hz panels;
24-zone RGB keyboard with NumPad; plastic touchpad;
good IO – ports on backs and sides, with TB4; WiFi 7;
dual-fan cooling with quad exhausts and heatpipes;
80 Wh battery, 24oW charger,
2x speakers, 2MP camera
Price: –
MSI Raider 18 HX AI
18-inch 16:10 IPS or mini LED, matte
2.5K 240Hz 3ms or 4K 120Hz 7ms
Intel Core Ultra 285HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 3x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5090 (175W),
MUX
from
7.8 lbs / 3.5 kg
premium full-size performance and gaming chassis, all-metal build, MSI design elements and RGB;
hardware refresh of the 2024 model;
a simplified version of the Titan, available in a wider range or specs and with a more affordable price;
16:10 matte display, either IPS or mini LED panels;
per-key RGB keyboard, glass touchpad;
excellent IO – ports on back and sides, including Thunderbolt 5; WiFi 7;
dual-fan cooling with quad-exhausts and multiple heatpipes;
99 Wh battery, 400W charger,
6x speakers, 2MP IR camera
Price: from $2499
MSI Stealth 18 HX AI
18-inch 16:10 IPS or mini LED, matte
2.5K 240Hz 3ms or 4K 120Hz 7ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 1x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5090 (150W),
MUX
from
6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg
premium portable all-round chassis, magnesium alloy build, MSI design elements without RGB;
hardware refresh of the 2024 model;
16:10 matte display, either IPS or mini LED panels;
per-key RGB keyboard, glass touchpad;
excellent IO – ports on back and sides, including Thunderbolt 5; WiFi 7;
dual-fan cooling with quad-exhausts and vapor chamber;
90 Wh battery, 280W charger,
6x speakers, 2MP IR camera
Price: from $2499
MSI Titan 18 HX AI
18-inch 16:10 mini LED, matte
4K 120Hz 7ms
Intel Core Ultra 285HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 4x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5090 (175W),
MUX
from
8 lbs / 3.63 kg
premium full-size performance and gaming chassis, all-metal build, MSI design elements and RGB;
hardware refresh of the 2024 model reviewed here, with slight internal updates;
dedicated 18-inch chassis, unlike other models that are beefed up variants of their 16-inch versions;
16:10 mini LED 4K 120Hz 7ms panel, matte;
per-key RGB keyboard with CherryMX Ultra-Low profile mechanical switches (some, not all keys), RGB glass touchpad;
excellent IO – ports on back and sides, including Thunderbolt 5; WiFi 7;
most powerful Ultra HX + RTX 5080/5090 implementation, at 270W crossload
dual-fan cooling with quad-exhausts, vapor chamber, heatpipes;
99 Wh battery, 400W charger,
6x speakers, 2MP IR camera
Price: from $3499
Schenker Key 18 Pro
18-inch 16:10 IPS or mini LED, matte
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
4x DDR5 slots, 4x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5090 (175W),
MUX
??
portable workstation chassis, new 2025 model, metal build;
16:10 IPS 2.5K or mini LED 4K panels;
per-key RGB keyboard, with NumPad; glass touchpad;
4x RAM slots and 4x SSD slots, full-power HX+ RTX implementation;
details on cooling to be updated;
98WH battery, 5MP camera, ??x speakers
tba
XMG Neo 16
16-inch 16:10 IPS or mini LED, matte
2.5K 240Hz 3ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5090 (175W),
MUX
5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg
mid-tier full-size performance and gaming chassis, clamshell Tongfang barebone format, metal build;
16:10 IPS or mini LED 2.5K 240Hz panel, matte, 180 hinge;
per-key RGB keyboard, with NumPad and spaced arrows; glass touchpad;
good IO – ports on back and sides;
dual-fan quad-exhaust cooling with multiple heatpipes, compatibility with XMG OASIS external water cooler
99.8WH battery, 2x speakers
tba
XMG Pro 16 Studio
16-inch 16:10 IPS, matte
2.5K 240Hz 3ms
Intel Core Ultra 275HX,
2x DDR5 slots, 2x SSDs
GeForce RTX 5070Ti (140W),
MUX
??
mid-range all-purpose chassis, new design for 2025, metal build;
16:10 IPS 2.5K 240Hz panel, matte, 180 hinge, no mini LED option;
per-key RGB keyboard, with NumPad; glass touchpad;
good IO – ports on back and sides;
same motherboard as on the Neo, but smaller format and lower power hadware;
??WH battery, 2x speakers
tba
That’s about it for this article.
I’m updating it as new Arrow Lake HX notebooks are announced, and as we get to review some of these configurations.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this Intel HX mobile hardware, and if you spot any device that should be listed in here and is not yet included, please let me know in the comments section.
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